Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Gil Kane; Klaus Janson; John Costanza; & Carl Gafford
Cover Art by Gil Kane
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Atomic Nights,” DC Comics released the fourth issue of this 12-part series for February 1986. In Washington, D.C., the DSI’s director, Dr. Darwin Jones, & Bobo (Detective Chimp) contemplate the ongoing supernatural chaos. Conferring with Superman, Jones takes Bobo with him to Metropolis, which is now under alien attack. They then investigate a mysterious trans-dimensional portal. Jimmy Olsen, meanwhile, seeks out Dr. Thirteen in New York City for answers about celebrity ghosts he and his friend, Floyd Perkins, have recently witnessed.
In the Sahara Oasis, Justice Leaguers Zatanna Zatara, Martian Manhunter, & Aquaman face off vs. hostile alien marauders. Yet, they can’t thwart their adversaries from abducting J’onn J’onzz, as his captors enigmatically deem the Martian a ‘traitor.’ From the Peruvian Jungle, Batman & Hawkwoman escape danger upon being included in Adam Strange’s zeta-beam transporting them to the planet Rann. Joining Alanna Strange, the Viking Prince, and Hawkman, wild danger continues to threaten the group on Rann in spite of Superman’s arrival.
In New York City, captives Supergirl, Starfire, J’onn J’onzz, Jemm – Son of Saturn, & Superman are set for public execution by the militaristic aliens. Entering another trans-dimensional portal, Jimmy Olsen & Dr. Thirteen join Detective Chimp & Dr. Jones for a potentially grim fate upon being caught by one of these marauders. Yet, what does Deadman have to do with this strange plot?
Note: DC Challenge! utilizes a collaborative approach – a different writer is recruited for each issue in order to ‘challenge’ readers and the next issue’s writer, as to what happens next.
REVIEW:
Hampered by its obvious gimmickry, DC Challenge! # 4 is still a decent, kid-friendly read. In that sense, veteran scribe Paul Levitz doesn’t let all-age fans down. More so, the art squad’s visuals are better than expected – especially getting an opportunity to see Silver Age legend Gil Kane’s artwork firsthand. Hence, this issue delivers a sort of nostalgia joyride, no matter if the ongoing storyline is instantly forgettable.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Along with editor Robert “Bob” Greenberger, contributing writer Doug Moench offers a two-page perspective explaining how Len Wein convinced him to work on the DC Challenge! project. A cover reveal for Issue # 5 is also included.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars
Note: For anyone interested in literary murder-mysteries, Agatha Christie and thirteen other contemporaries once devised a similar collaborative writing challenge. Their 1931 whodunnit novel-by-committee is entitled “The Floating Admiral.”
